Rockies' rookie on same 'breakout' tier as Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt

The Colorado Rockies have found their first baseman of the foreseeable future. 

After an offseason trade that sent right-handed relief pitcher Angel Chivilli to the New York Yankees for first baseman TJ Rumfield, the 26-year-old has impressed in his first season with the NL West club. 

The Rockies likely came into the season with high expectations for Rumfield, but they probably couldn't have predicted he'd produce this much. 

In 134 games, Rumfield has 3.3 bWAR, 13 home runs, and a .290/.383/.437 with a 116 OPS+. Rumfield's .383 OBP ranks fourth in the National League. 

"Rumfield is probably going to finish fourth or fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year vote, but he very much was not on the tier of a Kevin McGonigle or JJ Wetherholt as far as preseason rookie-year expectations went," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote. 

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"In fact, Steamer had him projected for 78 games played and a minus-0.1 WAR. Yet, he might mess around and lead the NL in on-base percentage, presently triple-slashing .289/.380/.437, cementing himself as Colorado's everyday first baseman," Miller added. 

There was no room for Rumfield on the Yankees. His path to playing time was blocked by Ben Rice, and now Luis Garcia Jr. 

Colorado is in a better position with him than without him. If he and All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman can keep producing, the Rockies could play postseason spoiler. 

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